Crazy DIY custom tank

[GreenUku]

I've talked to some of you about my new tank setup I'm planning. The big stumbling block has been where to get the tank, since I've been thinking about a 75 gallon glass tank with dimensions 36" L x 24" W x 20" H.

Basically that means I'd have to get it custom built ($$$) or build it myself (also $$$). And of course I'm thinking that if I go custom glass, I better go Starphire (did I mention $$$$$$$$).

Well I'm trying to assess all of my options, and I came up with a crazy idea for a cheaper option: Maybe I could keep the 36" x 24" footprint and go slightly shallower by getting a 65 gallon.

The crazy idea is that the 65 is 36" L x 18" W x 24" H. So my idea is to convert it to a 65 Wide (36" L x 24" W x 18" H) by taking out one side and putting a new piece of glass in where the top was.

What do you guys think??

Here's a link to the thread I put up in RC's DIY forum looking for advice.

I have yet to decide what I'm going to do, and I'm still waiting for most of the custom quotes, but it would be cool if this were feasible.

 

[rabid frog]

if you decide to do this let me know. I would like to come and help you just to get the experience of making a glass tank. that is of course if you dont mind.

I want to build a wide but shallow tank too for a clam garden. This may be what I am looknig at as well.

 

[GreenUku]

I will definitely let you know.

I'm actually planning to build a 12" cube out of glass soon, just to see how it will work out. I will post the results.

 

[crazy4acros]

Hey GreenUku, It's not as expensive as you think. I'm having a custom tank built by Lee-Mar, three sided starfire (trimless) single overflow drilled for closed loops 36x36x24 $1,330.00.

Thor

 

[GreenUku]

That IS as expensive as I think

Is that going to be your new system, or an additional system?

 

[Dangerous Ace]

LeeMar is way cheaper for custom tanks than any one else I've seen. I had Eric call to get a quote from them. He should have a price range by tomorrow. The Euro-bracing that Thor is getting not to mention the Starfire glass is adding a lot to the price. We got a 2 X 2 X 2 cube from them that was pretty reasonable (without the euro bracing or starfire). They build really sturdy stuff too. I'll let you know what I find out.

Brian

 

[GreenUku]

Are you going eurobraced Thor or totally rimless? Those are pretty nice, like this guy's.

I've been looking around at glass. For 1/2" starphire, the best price I've seen in town so far is $24/ft^2 plus edge polishing $0.43/in. Hahnmeister said that in Milwaukee he found a big glass distributor that is selling 1/2" starphire for $12/ft^2 plus $0.17/in polishing. If you could get that price, it would put the glass for a 36x36x24 all starphire tank at about $500! (= 33ft^2 x $12/ft^2 + 624in x $0.17/in). Of course local ABQ prices (that I know of) would put that material's cost at $1060 (all starphire) or $880 (3 sides starphire).

You can tell I've been doing a lot of calculations and conversions lately (thank you google calculator).

As far as cheap customs, it looks like Glass Cages is the cheapest, but the reviews are decidedly mixed on their glass stuff :mixed:

It looks like I might be able to put together a 65 wide with 3/8" for about the same cost as the AGA 65 (assuming that the edge finishing isn't too important).

See more here .

 

[crazy4acros]

Let me tell ya It is a steal for a rimless (not Euro braced) starfire! Lee Mar is now starting to go rimless; there is only a few here in America that will back a rimless tank Aquarium Environments and Lee Mar.

The only other rimless company is located in Italy Elos, Now talk about $$$$$$$! I guess if you don't mind the trim then you can always get a starfire for cheaper, but those rimless tanks are soooo beautiful and enhance the naturalism of the environment.

From my research, Lee Mar is good quality good price. Good luck with you tank search/build.

Thor

 

[crazy4acros]

Oh and this tank will be my new primary system, that being said I don't trust myself with a DIY rimless LOL!

 

[GreenUku]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9461605#post9461605 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crazy4acros
Oh and this tank will be my new primary system, that being said I don't trust myself with a DIY rimless LOL!

I hear you. It is scary.

I got some inspiration from this rimless starphire tank (scroll down). It looked like a nightmare, but it can be done, and a guy on the second page of that thread gives some tips for maling the construction a lot simpler.

Another one on RC is this guy's DIY eurobraced starphire tank. You can really see the difference bewteen the regular glass and the starphire when the panes are laid out on newspaper. From his posts he makes it sound like maybe it isn't so hard after all.

In any event, I'm starting by building a 12" glass cube

 

[crazy4acros]

I dont know man, that first tank is a fresh water tank and the second has no water in it. I wonder what is the lifespan of those tanks with saltwater in it, we all know it's 2x the weight. I guess it can be done with < 100g, but greater......... not for me no thanks! You should be more than ok with a 12" have fun.

 

[GreenUku]

Actually saltwater is only a couple percent heavier than fresh. That's why the specific gravity gravity is around 1.025, which is 1.025 X heavier than pure water.

You better post pics of yours when you get it!!!

 

[crazy4acros]

:lol: That's right! i was .975 off heheee.

I sure will post pics as soon as i get it in, they said about 4 weeks but you know how that goes! I'm thinking end of April.

CHEERS